3 Maccabees 5:20-22

Revised Standard Version

²⁰ the king,^[a] possessed by a savagery worse than that of Phalaris, said that the Jews^[b] were benefited by today’s sleep, “but,” he added, “tomorrow without delay prepare the elephants in the same way for the destruction of the lawless Jews!” ²¹ When the king had spoken, all those present readily and joyfully with one accord gave their approval, and each departed to his own home. ²² But they did not so much employ the duration of the night in sleep as in devising all sorts of insults for those they thought to be doomed.